All inclusive BIG 5 Kruger 2 Day Safari from Johannesburg

Wild animals set the schedule. This two-day Kruger safari makes a short South Africa stay much easier, with hotel or airport pickup, a lodge night near Hazyview, two open-vehicle game drives, meals, and bottled water arranged for you. I especially like the small-group format, limited to 15 people, and the chance to enter Kruger twice, once in the afternoon and again at sunrise. I also like the personal service from guides such as Nic, Tabu, and Given, who add useful stories about South African history, animals, and plants during the long road journey.

The main drawback is the amount of time spent on the road. Johannesburg to the Kruger area takes about four hours each way, leaving roughly seven hours inside the park across two drives. Wildlife is never guaranteed, and the dinner details are inconsistent, so I would confirm exactly what meals and lodge are included before paying.

The safari in five useful points

• Two very different game drives: You get a three-hour afternoon outing and a four-hour early-morning drive, giving you two good chances to see animals at different times of day.
• Open safari vehicle: The raised truck provides broad views and a sturdy platform for spotting elephants, lions, buffalo, rhinoceros, and other wildlife.
• Johannesburg pickup included: Collection is available from Johannesburg hotels or the airport, with return around 4 pm on the second day.
• Small group, maximum 15 people: This is more personal than a large coach tour, though the group size can still affect how quickly everyone gets into position around an animal sighting.
• A lodge night near Hazyview: Accommodation breaks up the long drive and places you close enough to reach Kruger for the afternoon and morning drives.
• Strong guide reports: Nic and Tabu are praised for making the road trip more interesting, while Given is praised for his knowledge of Kruger’s wildlife and plants.

What the $722.68 price really buys

At $722.68 per person, this is not a cheap way to see Kruger. The value comes from bundling several costly and time-consuming pieces into one short trip: transport from Johannesburg or Pretoria, one night of accommodation, park access arrangements, two safari drives, meals, and a dedicated safari vehicle.

You are also buying convenience. You do not need to arrange a rental car, work out the route to Mpumalanga, find a lodge near the park, or organize a dawn departure on your own. For a first visit to South Africa, that can be worth a great deal.

Still, you should compare this price with the cost of arranging a longer stay independently. If your main goal is relaxed wildlife viewing, two days may feel rushed for the money. You spend about eight hours traveling between Johannesburg and the Kruger region, then return after the morning drive. A longer Kruger stay would give you more chances to see elusive animals and more time to enjoy the park without watching the clock.

This tour makes the best financial sense if you have limited time, want a guide, and would otherwise need to book transfers and accommodation separately. It is less attractive if you already have a car, a place to stay near Kruger, or several free days for a slower visit.

The package information includes breakfast, two lunches, bottled water, and a safari in an open vehicle. Dinner is listed as both included and not included in different sections, so do not treat that detail as settled. Ask the operator to confirm the dinner arrangement and any extra costs before departure.

Leaving Johannesburg at 7 am

Pickup begins at 7 am from selected Johannesburg hotels or the airport. The morning start is practical, but it does not mean you reach Kruger early enough for a morning game drive. The first drive is scheduled for the afternoon, after the road trip and check-in near Hazyview.

The road journey takes about four hours. That is a substantial stretch of sitting, but the right driver can make it part of the experience. Nic is praised for discussing South African history, culture, nature, and animals along the way. Tabu is also praised for being friendly, informative, and attentive during the drive.

Food stops help break up the route. One group was offered choices such as Spur and Nando’s, which is useful if you have different tastes or want a familiar meal. The final return journey includes a lunch stop in Belfast before the vehicle continues toward Johannesburg.

The quality of the driver matters here. A good driver does more than cover the miles. Nic is repeatedly described as easy to talk with and a source of useful information, while Tabu is praised for making passengers feel comfortable. You should still confirm your pickup time the day before. One person had to call on the morning of departure to make sure the 7 am time was correct, and a pickup mix-up affected another booking.

The Hazyview overnight stop

The first day takes you toward Hazyview in Mpumalanga, where the accommodation is arranged before the afternoon park drive. The tour information names Tembo Guest Lodge, while several accounts refer to Umbhaba. That difference matters because the lodge is part of the price, and the standard of the overnight stop affects how rested you feel for the early start.

The accommodation is described positively, with comfortable rooms and good food. One account specifically praises the dinner selection at the lodge, while another calls Umbhaba comfortable and enjoyable. Since the property may depend on the departure date or package arrangement, confirm the exact lodge before you go.

This overnight stop is not a destination in itself. Its purpose is to put you near Kruger and save you from making the Johannesburg to Kruger drive twice in one exhausting day. You get a bed, food arrangements, and a shorter morning transfer into the park.

Pack for a simple overnight stay rather than a full resort holiday. Keep your camera, warm layer, medications, and morning essentials in a small day bag. You will appreciate not having to open your main luggage in the dark before the sunrise drive.

The first Kruger drive, from about 2 pm

The afternoon game drive begins at around 2 pm and lasts about three hours. This is a good first taste of Kruger because the light changes during the outing, and you have time to settle into the vehicle, learn the guide’s style, and get used to scanning the bush.

The drive focuses on the Big Five: lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo. It also includes the smaller and less famous creatures that make a safari interesting. You may stop near water holes, where animals come to drink according to their own routines. The guide will also watch the bush carefully for cats that are resting or concealed.

That last point is important. A safari is not a parade. Elephants are large and easier to spot, while leopards can disappear into cover and lions may be sleeping somewhere beyond the road. Given, one of the safari guides, is praised for working hard to find animals and for explaining the flora and fauna along the way.

You may see four of the Big Five, as one outing did, or even all four that some people report seeing. You should not expect a complete checklist. Cape buffalo, elephant, lion, rhinoceros, and leopard each have different habits, and no guide can call them onto the road.

The open vehicle is a major advantage. You get high, unobstructed views rather than looking through a regular car window. One account describes the safari truck as sturdy, with excellent viewing angles. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and a warm layer, since an open vehicle leaves you exposed to changing conditions.

The 5:30 am sunrise start

Day two begins at about 5:30 am, with entry into Kruger around 6 am. This is the strongest part of the schedule for many people. Early morning offers a chance to see animals before the heat of the day, including predators returning from nighttime activity and hyenas finishing their scavenging.

You will also see the African sunrise from the vehicle. That alone can be a memorable reason to accept the early alarm. The quiet first light gives the drive a different mood from the afternoon outing, and the guide has four hours to search for wildlife.

A pre-packed breakfast is served at Skukuza Camp. This keeps the morning moving and avoids wasting prime viewing time. It also means you should be ready to eat simply and carry anything you need for the drive.

The four-hour morning safari is longer than the first drive, which gives you more time to follow tracks, pause at sightings, and cover more ground. It is still only one morning, though. If your priority is a leopard, lion, or another hard-to-find animal, your odds improve with additional drives on a longer visit.

Given receives particularly strong praise for his work in the park. He is described as friendly, committed, and well informed about the area, animals, plants, and signs of wildlife. His enthusiasm is part of the appeal, but the best guides also set realistic expectations: the animals remain wild, and even a determined search can end without a particular sighting.

The ride back to Johannesburg

After the morning drive, the return trip begins. The road to Johannesburg takes about four hours, with lunch in Belfast and drop-off at Johannesburg hotels or the airport around 4 pm.

This timing is useful if you need to return to Johannesburg the same day, but it leaves little room for delays. I would avoid booking a tight evening flight unless the airline schedule gives you plenty of breathing room. The tour promises an approximate 4 pm arrival, and road conditions, park exit timing, and meal stops can affect that estimate.

The return drive can feel long after an early start, but this is another point where the driver makes a difference. Nic is praised for making the hours pass quickly through conversation and explanations about South Africa. The transfer is not just a shuttle when the driver takes an interest in the country around you.

If you are being dropped at the airport, keep your valuables and travel documents with you rather than in the vehicle’s luggage area. Also confirm the drop-off location in advance, especially if you are staying at a hotel outside the main Johannesburg pickup area.

The guides make the difference

The strongest part of this experience is the human service. Nic is frequently praised for being friendly, well informed, courteous, and a safe driver. He discusses South African history, culture, nature, and wildlife, which gives the long transfer more purpose.

Tabu is also praised for being kind and informative from Johannesburg to Kruger and back. That matters because the transfer accounts for a large part of a two-day safari. A poor driver would make the tour feel like a bus ride with animals added later.

Given leads the safari drives and receives praise for his knowledge of Kruger, wildlife, and plant life. He also makes a real effort to find animals, including lions, while recognizing that sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Guide quality can vary by departure, so do not assume you will receive a particular person unless the company confirms it. If you have a strong preference for Nic, Tabu, or Given, you can ask when booking, but the available information does not promise specific guide assignment.

Group size and the open vehicle

The maximum group size is 15 people. That is small enough to feel more personal than a large sightseeing coach, but it is not the same as a private safari. At a busy animal sighting, you may need to share viewing positions and wait while others take photographs.

The open vehicle solves part of that problem by providing raised seating and broad views. You can look across the bush, watch the road ahead, and follow the guide’s attention. It also gives you a stronger sense of being outdoors than a closed vehicle.

Bring binoculars if you own them. The tour provides the vehicle, but no binoculars are listed among the inclusions. A camera with a zoom lens can help, but do not spend the whole drive staring at a screen. The best sightings may be brief.

Wear practical clothing in layers. The early morning can feel cool, while the afternoon may be warmer. A hat and water are useful, and bottled water is included. Alcohol is not included, so budget separately if you want drinks at the lodge or with a meal.

Who should book this Kruger safari?

I would choose this tour if you have only two days, are based in Johannesburg or Pretoria, and want the simplest route into Kruger. It suits first-time safari visitors who prefer a guide and organized transport rather than driving themselves.

It also works well for people who value interpretation. Nic, Tabu, and Given add context about South Africa and the natural world, so you receive more than a vehicle transfer and a wildlife checklist.

The tour is less suitable if you dislike early mornings, long drives, or a fixed schedule. It is also not ideal if you want a luxurious lodge, a private vehicle, or a high chance of seeing every member of the Big Five. The tour gives you a concentrated introduction, not a leisurely safari holiday.

Families and most people with ordinary mobility can take part, since most participants can join and the maximum group size is 15. The supplied information does not provide detailed accessibility specifications, so ask the operator about vehicle access and seating if that is important to you.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book it?

Book this two-day Kruger safari if convenience matters more than a slow pace. You get a sunrise drive, an afternoon drive, an open vehicle, a lodge night, meals, bottled water, and round-trip transport without having to assemble the pieces yourself.

The best reason to choose it is the combination of strong guides and efficient scheduling. The biggest caution is the long Johannesburg transfer and the limited time inside the park. Confirm the lodge, dinner arrangements, pickup time, and airport drop-off before you leave.

If you can spare more than two days, I would choose a longer Kruger stay. If two days is all you have, this is a practical and well-regarded way to get a genuine taste of the park, with a fair chance of seeing several major species and a much better chance of enjoying the trip when your driver and safari guide are as good as Nic, Tabu, and Given.

FAQ

Where does the safari start?

Pickup is offered from Johannesburg hotels or the Johannesburg airport. The listed start time is 7 am, and the tour information also identifies Pretoria as the location.

How long is the safari?

The experience lasts approximately two days. The first afternoon game drive lasts about three hours, and the second morning drive lasts about four hours.

What time does the afternoon Kruger drive begin?

The first Kruger drive starts at around 2 pm on the first day and lasts approximately three hours.

What time does the morning safari start?

The morning safari begins at about 5:30 am, with entry into Kruger planned for around 6 am.

Is accommodation included?

An overnight stay near Hazyview is included. The tour information names Tembo Guest Lodge, while other package details refer to Umbhaba, so confirm the exact property before departure.

Are meals included?

Breakfast, two lunches, and bottled water are listed as included. The information gives conflicting details about dinner, with one section listing it as included and another saying it is not included. Confirm this directly with the operator.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 15 people. The safari takes place in an open vehicle.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.